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In Search of the Female Bandit in the Novel of the Mexican Revolution: The case of la Pintada
Author(s)
Date Issued
2012
Date Available
2018-01-16T12:55:47Z
Abstract
In bandit novels from Latin America in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries there is a notable lack of female bandit figures, both real and imagined (especially in leading roles). However, the character la Pintada, in Mariano Azuela's seminal novel of the Mexican Revolution, Los de abajo (1915), defies the notion that women bandits did not exist or that if they did they were merely followers of male bandit chiefs. A forceful character, Pintada embodies the role of the soldada, as she actively engages in raids, rather than conform to the soldadera stereotype, that of the woman who accompanied the soldiers in their campaigns in a servile role. Pintada, a natural leader, challenges band chief Demetrio, and leaves without punishment after committing murder. This paper explores the idea that rather than being one of the Revolution's victims, Pintada can be seen to be one of its beneficiaries, a brash northerner representing the new modern Mexico that would wrest control in the post-revolutionary period. ---Las novelas de bandidos de Latinoamérica en los siglos XIX y XX reflejan una ausencia notable de 'bandidas', especialmente en los papeles principales, tanto reales como imaginarios. Sin embargo, el personaje la Pintada en la novela fundamental de la Revolución Mexicana, Los de abajo (1915) de Mariano Azuela, desafÃa la creencia de que no existÃan bandidas o que sólo eran seguidoras de bandidos. Poseedora de un carácter fuerte, la Pintada parece ser una soldada y no se somete al estereotipo de la soldadera, en un rol servil, como acompañante de los combatientes. La Pintada es una lÃder natural y desafÃa a Demetrio, el jefe bandido y abandona al grupo, después de haber cometido un asesinato sin castigo alguno. Este artÃculo explora la idea de la Pintada como beneficiaria de la Revolución, en vez de ser una vÃctima. Ella es una norteña descarada que representa al nuevo mexicano que tomará el poder durante el periodo posrevolucionario.
Type of Material
Journal Article
Publisher
Liverpool University Press
Journal
Bulletin of Hispanic Studies
Volume
89
Issue
7
Start Page
721
End Page
736
Copyright (Published Version)
2012 Liverpool University Press
Language
English
Status of Item
Peer reviewed
This item is made available under a Creative Commons License
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